Israel Matters

Israel Matters is dedicated to informing the congregation about Israeli current affairs and life in Israel as well as Israel-related events of community interest. 

Israel Matters communicates via a Google group message forum. By joining, you can stay updated on current events in Israel, participate in discussions, and learn about local Israel-related events not shared with the wider congregation. You can also post your own messages and news. Members receive forum posts by email. To join, email Jack Rosenthal (Jack@Rosenthalplace.com).

To access the Google group message forum enter the following in your browser for example Chrome or Safari) https://groups.google.com/my-groups  and then click on “Israel Matters Temple Beth Ami” and you will be taken to https://groups.google.com/g/israel-matters-temple-beth-ami here you can view current and all past posts.

What Israel Matters Does

Communicates information about Israel and American Jewry

Israel Matters participants are encouraged to share Israel-related topics, including its relationship with American Jewry, on the Google group. Members typically post news and commentary from respected sources on various Israeli issues, problems, and successes. Articles come from sources like The New York Times, The Washington Post, Tablet magazine, Haaretz, and The Times of Israel. We follow writers such as Daniel Gordis and Eric Yoffie, and organizations like the Israel Policy Forum, aiming to cover all sides of controversial issues. Temple Beth Ami clergy actively support and often participate in the discussions.

Distributes Information About Local Activities and Other Events

Israel Matters participants are encouraged to post notices about Israel-related events to the group, whether in the local area or online. For example, we often follow, and post events sponsored by the Union for Reform Judaism, the Israel Policy Forum, the Washington, D.C. Jewish Community Relations Council, The Haberman Institute, and American University.    

 

Upcoming Israel Matters Events

  1. 14 Jan

    What to Expect from the Incoming Administration: U.S. Policies Toward Israel with Michael Koplow

    6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Israel Matters Sponsors Activities at Temple Beth Ami

Israel Matters regularly sponsors invited talks by individuals and organizations. Sessions have included:

  • J-Street and AIPAC on their positions and activities
  • Amir Tibon, Haaretz correspondent, on current Israel political issues
  • The Pew Research Center on the attitudes and behavior of American Jews and religion.  
  • Michael Sharnoff, Associate Professor at the National Defense University’s Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, an expert on Middle East affairs and in particular, on the Abraham Accords.
  • Ron Halber, Executive Director at Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, and Temple Beth Ami member
  • Dr David Kanin, a member of Temple Beth Ami, who spoke on Zionism and Israel in historical context.  Dr. Kanin is a faculty member of the Daniel Morgan Graduate School of National Security and a former CIA officer, and was interviewed by Tom Schiller, TBA member.
  • The co-sponsorship of several TBA Book Events; for example: JBC Book & Author Event:  The Arc of a Covenant: The United States, Israel and the Fate of the Jewish People by Walter Russell Mead. 
Temple Beth Ami Israel Webpage
Israel Resources and Facts
Israel Hamas War